After a full day of hiking on this trip, often finishing in the dark, some of our favorite memories weren’t on the trail at all, but rather in the calm, peaceful evenings. I sure love the smell of campfire, especially if s’mores are involved!
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Card Games Under the Stars
During our stay at Yosemite National Park, we stayed at the Indian Flat RV Park just outside the park in El Portal. On our way out of the park and heading back to camp, we’d often stop at a small convenience store and grab some ICE COLD cream sodas – full sugar, full calories, full everything! A luxury reserved only for vacations.
Then we’d pull out our trailer awning and play games under the stars after dinner. I’ve learned over the years that I can’t play anything too competitive with Chris. He is too fast and I get angry when I can’t win a game like California Speed. So instead we play Blackjack. Chris is an excellent dealer, and I love playing this low-stakes version of the game.
Campfires
If you’re planning a similar trip as our roadtrip across 4 California National Parks, one thing to know is that campfire rules can vary from park to park, campground to campground, and even season to season.
Fire restrictions in the Yosemite area depend on current conditions and local regulations. During our visit in September 2023, campfires were generally allowed at Indian Flat RV Park, as long as they were contained in designated fire rings.
The best approach is to:
- Check current fire restrictions before your trip
- Ask the campground directly when you arrive
- Have a backup plan for cooking without a fire
We planned our meals so they could be made either way — fire or no fire.
Our Favorite Easy Camping Meals
After long days of exploring, we didn’t want complicated meals. A vacation is not a vacation if you are spending too much time stressing about dinner! We like dinners that are easy, somewhat indulgent, and provide the fuel for further exploring. Here are our top 3 go to camping meals:
Cheddarwursts
This is the ultimate low-effort camping meal, and it’s way more glamorous than a regular hot dog! All you need is:
- Cheddarwursts (Johnsonville Beddar Cheddar Smoked Sausages)
- Hot dog buns
- Any desired condiments (mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, etc)
- Roasting sticks – two-pronged ones work best with cheddarwursts – set them on horizontally to keep them in place
If fires are allowed, cook them on a roasting stick over the fire. When fires were not allowed, we were able to use our trailer oven. But if fires aren’t allowed and you are tent camping, a small propane camp stove will work.
Gourmet Mac & Cheese
This will require some prep work before your trip, but it’s worth it. Here’s the link to my favorite recipe.
I make the roux and mix in the cooked macaroni noodles. But I stop at the part where you are supposed to bake it. Instead I prep it for finishing at the campsite.
At home:
- Roll out some aluminum foil for each portion of Mac & Cheese needed on the trip – make sure it’s enough to completely cover the portion.
- Spray the aluminum foil with nonstick spray.
- Divide the macaroni into however many portions will be needed on the trip, placing each portion onto the prepared sheet of aluminum foil.
- Top with cheddar, or your favorite cheese topping
- Wrap it up – make sure the Mac & Cheese is completely covered from all angles and completely sealed.
- Store it in your cooler until needed – maybe put in a ziploc bag to prevent ice water from the cooler getting it wet.
At camp:
- Toss it into the fire, onto a grill grate, or into your trailer oven.
- Heat until hot, melted, and bubbly.
- If fires aren’t allowed and you don’t have a trailer, place the foil packet into a covered pan on a portable camp stove and heat on low until hot and bubbly.
It’s cheesy, indulgent, and exactly what your body wants after a long day of exploring.
Steak Nachos
The key is high quality steak and cheese.
Best way to cook steak while camping:
- If using a fire: Cook over a grate or cast iron pan and add seasoning
- If using a trailer stovetop or portable propane stove: Sear in a hot pan and add seasoning
- Let it rest, then slice thin
Chris is excellent at cooking meats. He keeps it simple by seasoning with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder, and it’s always amazing.
Then build your nachos:
- Layer tortilla chips and cheese in a fire-safe dish or cast iron pan and cover with aluminum foil
- Heat until the cheese is melted using whatever heat source you used for the steak
- Add sliced steak
- Top with olives, corn, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole — whatever you love
The essentials for “camping nachos that feel grande”:
- Steak
- Olives
- Corn
- Plenty of good cheese
Make sure you pack a can opener for the olives and corn. Also, I like to use prepackaged sour cream and guacamole cups to simplify the prep work.
After long days of hiking and exploring, quiet evenings with ice-cold soda, easy and indulgent dinners, and card games are a great reward. That’s camping at its best!
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